The Portland daily press. [volume] (Portland, Me.) 1862-1921, 1887-09-30
GRAND ENcAMPMENr.
Dolngs Of the Veterans Of the Grand
Army at St. Louis Yesterday.

ST.. LOUIS, Sept. 29.-The Encampmept
met at 8. a. m. The committee on pensions
related its efforts to procure liberal legisla-
tion from Congress and the fate Of the de-
pendent pension bill, which would at least
have removed 1900 veterans from public
pauper houses. 1t called attention to the
Mexican pension bill, far more liberal than
any one for pensioning the soldiers Of the
rebellion. The bill met the approval Of the
President. They were fairl stunned when
from the same hand came the veto of this
measure like in principle, but infinitely small
in degree, for the veterans Of the war against
treason. They appealed to the Grand Army
A response came from 100000 members In no
uncertain tones. The committee Therefore
prepared a new pension bill This bill
makes provision for pensions to all veterans
who are. or may hereafter become unable to
earn their own livelihood; for the directcon-
tlnuance OF pensions for widows in their
own right; for an increase of the present
pittance to minor children; for fathers or
a law would at once remove fully 1900 vet
Grams from public aims houses where they
now rest, making them pensioners instead OF
paupers; provide pensions for fully as many
more now dependent upon private charity;
and put into the general pension laws for
the first time, the recognition Of the princi-
pie, that pensions be granted to survivors
OF war without the absolute proof of disa-
Dility arising from service, proof almost
impossible TO procure after lapse Of more
than twenty years. Tne bill Is similar In
general principle to that vetoed, but the OBJ
jectionable pauper clause is omitted, making
this disability, mot dependent pension bill.
The committee recommended the continu-
ance OF an earnest effort in favor of this
bill; also in favor OF all recommendations
for an increase and equalization of pensions
for special disabilities, made in the recent
report Of Pension Commissioner Black; in
favor Of pension Of sl2 per month to all
widows Of honorably discharged soldiers
and sailors Of the late war: and recommend
ing increased pensions for severer disabli-
ties, substantially as presented in the bill
prepared by the United States Manned Vet
erans' League; pensions for survivors Of
rebel prisons substantially as presented in
the bill Of the National Association of Pris-
onerS OF the War; increased pensions for
the loss Of hearing or eyesight; the re-enact-
ment OF an arrears law for the equitable
sion for the widow Of such a representative
volunteer soldier Of the union army as
John-A. Logan, as Is paid the widows Of
those typical regulars, Thomas and Han
cock. The report was adopted.
The committee on the annual address of
the commander-in-chief endorses the ad-
dress, congratulates Gen. Fairchild and the
Grand Army upon the administration of the
past year, an recommends the presentation
of proper testimonial to him. They desire
to specially express approval of General Or
ders Nos. IL and I3. believing it entirely
improper and contrary to the rules
of the order for parties to express them
selves by official action at the request of per-
sons outside Of the Grand Army ON any sub
| ject or question unless officially authorized
| or requested through the regular Official
channels of the organization. They also re-
| commend the appointment Past Commander
| in-Chief Robert b. Beath as historian. The
report endorses the recommendation of a
| suggestion that the general government in
| clude In the next decennial census an eume-
ration Of the Union soldiers and sailors Of
the late war who may be living in 1890. This
| report was unanimously adopted with three
ronsing cheers for Commander Fairchild.
The encampment will meet in Columbus,
Ohio, in 1888, on the week Of the centennial
| of the settlement of that city.